Dance Collective founder to speak at LAC event

Monday, October 29, 2012 7:31 AM

Photo provided.

The LaFontaine Arts Council's luncheon fundraiser "Fashions for the Arts" will be held Saturday, Nov. 3, at the LaFontaine Golf Club.

In addition to the luncheon, silent auction and fashion show featuring clothes from Chico's, the annual event also features someone who speaks about the importance of having arts programming in public schools.

Liz Monnier, the artistic director and a founding member of the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, is this year's arts advocate. She is a graduate of Indiana University's dance department and has studied with many notable artists throughout her career.

In 1991 and 1993, she was awarded fellowships from Arts United and in 1993 served as a Fort Wayne representative for a Sister City delegation in Plock, Poland.

In 2003 she was awarded the Margaret Ann Keegan Award from Arts United for her on-going curriculum development of movement programs for physically and mentally challenged individuals.

Since Fort Wayne Dance Collective's founding in 1979, she has taught on-site and outreach classes and has choreographed productions and touring company performances for the FWDC.

In 2004 Monnier was instrumental in beginning a dance minor program at Indiana Tech. During 2002-2003 she served on the Dance Standards Committee for the Indiana Department of Education.

In 2003 she was awarded a Gene Wyall Award for her excellence in producing video programs for public access television. In 2006 Indiana University presented Monnier with a John Endwright Distinguished Alumni Service Award.Monnier is currently working toward certification as a practitioner in the Feldenkrais Method.

Tickets for "Fashions for the Arts" are available from LAC board members or can be reserved by calling 358-0055 or 356-8874.

All proceeds from the event go toward the LAC's "Art in Education" programming, which brings quality arts-related experiences to all students in Huntington County.